Pakistan, May 6 -- At the 58th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Milan, Pakistan and India outlined sharply different development visions. While India highlighted its digital transformation under the "Vikasit Bharat" plan, Pakistan urged stronger ADB support to sustain its fragile economic recovery. Pakistan's Economic Affairs Secretary Dr. Kazim Niaz represented the country in the absence of Minister Ahad Cheema and called for greater aid effectiveness, transparency, and alignment with local development needs.

India praised the ADB's reforms and used the platform to showcase its digital success stories in governance, education, and health. Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized speeding up lending proc...